Have a great 3-day wknd!

1st Grade

After an extremely LONG deliberation period, we decided to send Henry to school for first grade. I will not lie. It has been a very difficult decision for me, as I long to keep my kiddos right with me and long for them to be together all day and to not be bound to a school schedule, etc. But for now, this fall does not seem to be the right time to test things out at home. We have prayed about it, but continue to find a restlessness when considering the home school option. With our current family life situation, the timing has just not seemed right. So, the bus arrived today, but after a good long cry last night with my hubby, I was emotionally stable today... all day :) Henry was so excited, and we've met his teacher and she seemed wonderful. And despite all the downfalls that people say public education has these days, I still have to admit that I get excited when I walk into an elementary school building. The fun classrooms, excited teachers, playgrounds, tons of new faces, new building to navigate, so many new things to learn, friends to make... I loved school. I hope Henry loves it as much as I did -- and I hope it's a great year of him being stretched to new levels. We hope and pray that all we've poured into him 24 hours a day for 6.5 years comes to mind while he's living life without us by his side every moment!! But, we know that God is with him always. And even for a 6.5 year old, each situation that is brought into his path is not in vain, it's ordained for Henry, and God is using it to grow him into a young man. It is very difficult to believe this sometimes.. I want so badly to be in control of my children... but they are not OURS. They come through us but they are not from us... they are HIS ultimately. Praying that I remember that as Henry makes his way through this first year. It's easy to start to doubt the decisions you make when waves come, but praying that the Lord uses this year not only for Henry, but also for us as we learn to very slowly let go of our children and entrust their care to God always.

Our many blessings

*We're still trying to figure out who Tess looks like*

*Trouble #1... seriously, he's trouble*

*Trouble #2... he's also on my watch list*

*Have shed many tears over this day... Love this little boy!*

Waking Tess

She likes to sleep during the day. This is prob what it will look like in about 16 yrs when I'm trying to get her up for school!

Backyard Camping

The weather here has been so amazing this past week or so... warm days, cool nights. Perfect for camping... so we did. I should say Jonathan and the older two boys did :) I was only 6 days postpartum, so you weren't getting me to sleep in a tent! They had so much fun setting up, doing smores with the neighbor kids, and then sleeping under the stars. Weather was perfect for it! The next morning, I got up and made Banana Walnut muffins with some choc chips... they're gluten free and DELICIOUS! Myles loves them too. Can you tell? We had to do a washdown in the sink! :) Love making memories like this with the boys... such a special time, special age... so much to teach and learn for all of us!

Loving Tessa

Happy Birthday Jonathan!

Jonathan's b-day was August 12th. Tessa was due on August 11th.. so we (the boys and I) decided to celebrate early! We called Jonathan to see if he wanted to meet us at one of his favorite restaurants one Friday night, then when we all got there, we said 'surprise!' - this is for your b-day! The boys were so excited to surprise him.. they thought it was great! It was the opening night of the Olympics. So we ate, came home and had a little 'party' with our snickerdoodles, and then watched the opening altogether. It was GREAT. I love family parties... sweet and intimate. The boys spent a lot of time making him cards. I think Henry made him 6, and Wyatt made him 2. Jonathan is a young 35... so much life to live! :) WE LOVE YOU!

Loving on Tessa

Tessa Marie has arrived!

She came on Saturday night at 7:13pm. She is beautiful with lots of dark hair! We are home and all are well... more pics to come later. For now, we are resting and keeping everyone under control :)

The garden is still growing!

We lost our squash plant, but everything else is growing great. We planted two banana pepper plants... And I knew I shouldn't have, but they came in a pack together. I gave one away. Was left with two.... They produce SO much per plant! But it's great for the kids b/c there is always something to pick. I usually chop and freeze them and then we put them on our homemade pizzas all winter; however, if anyone is interested, let me know :) We are happy to share!

As we wait...

... I got this most ADORABLE gift from one of my sister's--seriously, even if this ends up being a boy, he's wearing this tutu!! ;)